New figures are predicting that shoppers will spend £186 million in the final three days before Christmas in London’s West End.

GENERAL MERCHANDISE

London's West End expected to receive £186 million boost this weekend

21 December 2018 | by The Retail Bulletin

New figures are predicting that shoppers will spend £186 million in the final three days before Christmas in London’s West End.

According to New West End Company, which represents over 600 retailers, hoteliers and property owners in the district, Christmas spend in the West End is forecast to be on par with 2017 with weekend footfall up 15% compared to an average weekend.

Jace Tyrrell, chief executive of New West End Company, said: “2017 was one of the strongest Christmas trading periods we have seen in nearly a decade, and while retailers are facing stronger economic headwinds this year, London and the West End have remained resilient. As such we would expect sales over the Christmas eve weekend to be roughly in line with 2017 totals.”

At the start of the festive season, New West End Company forecast that £2.5 billion was likely to be spent over the eight week Christmas trading period.

Looking ahead to the weekend, Tyrrell said: “This year the last weekend before Christmas falls on the 22nd and 23rd , this is the second busiest weekend in the lead up to Christmas after Black Friday and make or break for many retailers. We are anticipating that the 24th being a working day will result in more people staying in the city, and for in-store sales to reach £186 million for those three days (22nd, 23rd and 24th December) alone.”

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